Home of Evangeline blends animation and documentary to craft an original retelling of one of Louisiana's most revered folktales. As the story goes, a young woman named Evangeline wandered from Canada to Louisiana after being separated from her new husband Gabriel during the expulsion of the Acadians from Nova Scotia in 1755. Since then, the story has been told and retold so often that it has contributed much to the ethos and identity of South Louisiana. However, in its continual retelling, several versions of the Evangeline story emerged, each full of contrasting details about which there is wide debate. And depending on which version you believe, you get either a happy ending or a tragic one, or something in between. The town of St. Martinville, LA claims to be the “Home of Evangeline” and its tourism revolves around several “historic” landmarks dedicated to the folk heroine. In Home of Evangeline, current residents of St. Martinville tell the story (or stories, rather) of Evangeline in their own words.

Created by Jillian Godshall & Lisa Ray / Directed & Edited by Jillian Godshall / Director of Photography Jillian Godshall Additional Camera Abraham Felix / Field Sound by Zack Godshall / Animation by Philippe Billeaudeaux / Musical Score by Daniel Coolik / Archival Footage Nova Scotia Archives / Featuring Joy & Bootsie Blanchard, Sharon Dayton, Mike Fuselier, Danielle Fontenette, James Akers, Donnie Bulliard

Supported by The Jazz & Heritage Foundation, ArtSpark Grant Recipient.

Premiered at Southern Screen Film Festival in 2023.